Process of extinction, expantion and controlling of fire flames thru acoustic

ABSTRACT

Process of extinguishing, expansion, and controlling of the fire flames by acoustic action, where utilizes the pressure alteration causing rarefactions and compressions in the particles generated by the acoustic waves in a combustible, oxidizing, or mixed environment. The factors that influence the control of the flames intensity are: AMPLITUDE, the FREQUENCY and the STANDING WAVE MODE. The standing wave produces two effects: the node and the womb, so the position of the node we get the flame extinguished and the position of the womb to increase the flame. When the rarefactions frequency and amplitude are greater than the burning rate then the flame is diminished until it is off. When the resonance occurs (ω=ω 0 ) between the flame&#39;s natural frequency (ω 0 ) and the sound emitted (ω) there is the combustion extinguishing, when (ω) is close to (ω 0 ) there is an increase of flames (ω 0 ). By applying high amplitude and high frequency an acoustic current is created that increases the flame intensity, by means of turbulent combustion, where a better mixing of the components occurs not only in simple burners or complex burners. With the association of sources we obtain the phenomenon of interference which together with the acoustic current increases the efficiency of the mixing of the reactants, or focusing in the rarefaction for the production of the acoustic barrier against the flames.

THE INVENTION

This invention introduces a process of extinction, expansion, andcontrol of the intensity of flames by acoustics action, using thealteration of amplitude and frequency values producing rarefactions andcompressions of the environment particles, created by the pressures andinterferences of acoustic waves in a combustible, oxidant or mixedenvironment, produced by one or more associated sources and theresonance between the frequencies of the acoustic emissions with thenatural frequency of the flames.

SUMMARY

Process of extinguishing, expansion, and controlling of the fire flamesby acoustic action (FIG. 1 thru 4), where utilizes the pressurealteration causing rarefactions and compressions in the particles (FIG.10) generated by the acoustic waves in a combustible, oxidizing, ormixed environment. The factors that influence the control of the flamesintensity are: AMPLITUDE and the FREQUENCY. When the rarefactionsfrequency and amplitude are greater than the burning rate then the flameis diminished until it is off. When the resonance occurs (ω=ω₀) betweenthe flame's natural frequency (ω₀) and the sound emitted (ω) there isthe combustion extinguishing, when (ω) is close to (ω₀) there is anincrease of flames (ω₀). By applying high amplitude and high frequencyan acoustic current is created that increases the flame intensity, bymeans of turbulent combustion, where a better mixing of the componentsoccurs not only in simple burners or complex burners (FIGS. 9, 11, 12,13, and 14). With the association of sources (FIGS. 5 thru 8) we obtainthe phenomenon of interference which together with the acoustic currentincreases the efficiency of the mixing of the reactants, or focusing inthe rarefaction for the production of the acoustic barrier against theflames.

TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION

We understand as an acoustic process every resonant, infrasonic,ultrasonic, and hypersonic process.

The devices used in the process consist of a mechanic sound generatorthat can be electric or electronic and a vibration generator that can beof any of these types: membranes, discs, ropes, air or pistons columns.

Both the extinction and the expansion of flames happens by controllingthe flames intensity, that is, the extinction is the limit of thecontrol of flames intensity when we desire to diminish the fire and theexpansion is also the limit of the control of flames intensity when wedesire to increase the flame.

The extinguishers are safe equipments that are able to extinct orcontrol fires in case of emergency. In general it is a cylinder that canbe taken to the fire location and it has an extinguishing agent underpressure. The extinguishing agent more appropriate for each type of firedepends on the materials that are in combustion, and so theextinguishers are classified, according to its best efficiency, in A, B,C, and D.

The known and used methods of control with intention to extinguish theflames are:

-   Cooling Method—This is the most used method. Consist of removing the    heat from the material on fire until the fire is out. Water is the    best means to accomplish this method. The efficiency of water in    controlling fire is due to the refrigeration effect provoked by its    vaporization heat (40.66 kJ/mol), which removes the heat from the    process of combustion and cools the material that is burning.    Another extinguishing property is related to the diminishing of the    concentration of oxygen in the air due to the water vapor resulted    from the fire fighting.-   Smothering Method—This is one of the most difficult methods because,    unless it is a small fire, it needs equipments and products    specifics to obtain the suffocation of the flames. Consist in the    elimination or reduction of the oxygen around the material in    combustion.-   Removal of the Material in Combustion Method—This is the simplest    method, it does not require any specialized equipment. Consist in    removal or interruption of the field of propagation of fire such as    trenches in forest fires and the turning off the gas valves in fires    due to gas leaks.-   Chemical Extinguishing Method—The post chemicals used were    classified in the suffocating method due to CO₂, but this was not a    satisfactory classification because the post chemicals are more    efficient than the CO₂. The mechanical foams are produced with water    solutions and are used in the fire fighting because they have    properties that along with the water properties become a more    efficient agent to extinct fires. The foams were developed to obtain    a better adherence to the material on fire being able to recover it    continuously. Since it has a low density it spreads over the surface    of the material in flames, suffocating and isolating it from contact    with the oxygen in the air. The suppression of oxidant vapor and the    cooling of the material in flames, by the liquid present in the    foam, prevent the re-igniting of the fire.

The known methods of control with the intention of fire flames expansionare:

-   Registers and Valves—for the control of the quantity of combustible    fuel and oxidant there are several types of Valves and Registers    that can be mechanically controlled, electrically and    electronically, with even computational interfaces. In industrial    and residential burners, to better carry out the burning there are,    thru sensors and actuators, electronic controllers and meters of the    volumes of the combustible gases, the temperature and pressure.-   Catalysts and Additives Dosers—The same as in Patent PI8802161-0    (Brazilian Patent). It is a doser to add additives or catalysts to    combustible gases in order to improve its performance thus obtaining    fuel saving, improvement of the wear and tear of the equipments,    pipes, and other dispositive that are a part of the activated    combustible gases.

In the industrial gas burners, compressed air is used to achieve avortex which causes the total burning and a much more efficient mixingof the combustible gas and oxygen, the oxidant, in excess as in patentPI8206500-4 (Brazilian Patent).

-   Electronic Synchronization—As in Patent PI9307649-5 (Brazilian    Patent), where a system of electronic synchronization to produce    precise synchronizing controlling signals for fuel injectors and    ignition coil for an internal combustion motor.

Technical Problems Found Today:

After a fire where the conventional methods have been used for theextinguishing, besides the final result, which is, the fireextinguishing there is also the destruction of personal belongings. Ourmethod does not destroy or damage that that did not have contact withthe fire. We should not use chemicals agents to extinguish or controlforest or wooded areas fires, because of the contamination of theenvironment making it impossible for life to return. The acoustic is nota chemical product thus will not contaminate the environment.

The methods used in the technology of controlling flames with theintention to expand them is not an efficiently method because with theflame there is a loss of oxygen and fuel and the elimination ofinnumerous products, which is called incomplete combustion. In theincomplete combustion there is not enough oxygen for the combustion tobe complete. The reactant will burn the oxygen, but could produce manyother products. In the fuel burning in automobiles, these products canbe very harmful for the environment and for our health.

General Solutions:

This invention refers to the acoustic process of extinguishing,expanding, and controlling flames intensity, utilizing the pressurealteration causing rarefactions and compressions in the particles,produced by the acoustic waves in a fluid environment, this fluidenvironment is the combustible material, the oxidant material (oxygen)or the combination of both.

The dispositive used in this acoustic process is composed of amechanical sound generator which can be electric or electronic, and avibration generator that can be of any of these types membranes, discs,ropes, air columns of air or pistons.

Utilizing the amplitude and frequency of the acoustic vibration we cancontrol the intensity of the flames that is, with the rate and amplitudeof rarefactions greater than the burn rate we can diminish the flame.With high amplitude and high frequency an acoustic current is createdwhich is able to strengthen the flame's intensity by means of turbulentcombustion.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

First of all we must clarify that this invention represents a total newconcept. Up to now no one has utilized the phenomenon involving acousticto control the intensity of flames in residential burners as well asindustrials, from its expansion until its total extinguishing and alsothe ample technical affect reached, that is the fact of the inventionand its industrial application.

It is understood as an acoustic process, every sound, infrasonic,ultrasonic and hypersonic process. The acoustics waves are longitudinalmechanic waves that are propagated in solids, liquids and gases. Thephysical factors that influence the controlling of flames intensity areAMPLITUDE and FREQUENCY that can be modified independently or inconjunction to obtain an objective. The action of the acoustics waves,produced by one or more acoustic sources, changes the pressure causingrarefactions and compressions in the environment particles that allowsthe combustion (picture 10) being the acoustic waves in the oxidant, inthe combustible or in the mixed environment.

The vibration's amplitude is connected to the energy transported by theacoustic wave and the frequency is connected with the amount ofdisturbance occurring in the environment, thus modifying the amplitudevalues and frequency of the acoustic vibrations the intensity of theflames can be controlled.

When the frequency and amplitude of rarefactions becomes greater thanthe rate of the combustible burning (gas) and/or the oxidant the flamecan be diminished until the point of desired extinction.

When the acoustic frequency (ω) enter in resonance with the naturalfrequency (ω₀) of the combustion (ω=ω₀) there is no more combustion, butwhen the frequency (ω) has a value closer but not equal to the naturalfrequency (ω₀) the flames will become higher.

With a high amplitude and a high frequency an acoustic current iscreated capable of intensify the flame through the turbulent combustion,where there is a more efficient mixture between the components of thecombustion, which is the oxidant and the combustible, not only for gasesbut also for liquids.

The controls have two poles or extremes, one being for the diminishingof the flames intensity and the other for the increase of flamesintensity; to obtain diminishing until the extinguish limit, for burnersthat act like sound tubes, that depending on the model may be open (FIG.9) or closed, we must utilize the acoustic waves anti-nodes and nodes toseparate the quantities of fuel and insufficient oxidant for a perfectcombustion to be achieved and that this frequency isolation must begreater that the rate of the combustion itself.

To achieve increase of flames, better efficiency in the burning of theflame, and a more complete combustion, a turbulent combustion isproduced thru acoustic turbulent fluxes, which helps the fuel to mixwith the oxidant, and so the reactant will burn the oxygen producing alimited number of byproducts.

The turbulent combustion is used in industries (e.g. gas turbines,diesel motors, etc), but not by the use of acoustics.

To produce acoustics waves and its characteristics we may utilize morethan one source (FIGS. 5 and 8), with sources association we obtain theinterference phenomenon that along with the acoustic current is evenbetter for the reactants mixture.

We know that it is normally impossible to attain a complete combustion,unless the reaction occurs in carefully controlled situations, forexample in a laboratory, but we can obtain a very close result withassociations of multiples acoustic sources.

The process of extinguishing, expanding and controlling the flamesintensity uses high frequencies, such as the ultrasound which arefrequencies above 20,000 Hertz for the production of acoustic currentwith the objective to achieve a complete mixing between the oxidantagent and the combustible creating a complete combustion, raising theflames size and better productivity in the burning of the gases.

When the frequencies used are in between the human audible and below it,then alterations in the size of the flames occurs not only in a simpleburner (burner with one flame only) but also in a more complex burner(burner with several flames). The alterations in the diminishing offlames size are due to the controlled diminishing of the fuel and/oroxygen, all by acoustic isolation and smothering.

The potential of this control is made greater by the association ofvarious sources that generate acoustics vibrations producinginterferences, constructive and destructive, in the combustion'sreactants changing the flames in a desirable way (FIGS. 5 and 8). Theacoustics sources associations can be:

-   a) (FIG. 6) Linear—association of several sources generators of    acoustic vibrations, producing plane of waves fronts whose    frequencies and amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions    and compressions in the environment's particles that favors the    combustion.-   b) (FIG. 5) Curvilinear—association of several sources generators of    acoustic vibrations, producing plane waves fronts whose frequencies    and amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions and    compressions in the environment's particles that favors the    combustion.-   c) (FIG. 7) Dihedral—association of several sources generators of    acoustic vibrations, producing plane waves fronts whose frequencies    and amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions and    compressions in the environment's particles that favors the    combustion.-   d) Trihedral—association of several sources generators of acoustic    vibrations, producing plane waves fronts whose frequencies and    amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions and compressions    in the environment's particles that favors the combustion.    Adaptation of the format of the array's construction in FIG. 8.-   e) Cylindrical—association of several sources generators of acoustic    vibrations, producing plane waves fronts whose frequencies and    amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions and compressions    in the environment's particles that favors the combustion.    Adaptation of the format of the array's construction in FIG. 8.-   f) (FIG. 8) Array association for several sources generators of    acoustic vibrations, by different intervals of acoustics waves,    fronts of plane waves, convergent or divergent, which frequencies    and amplitudes modify the pressure causing rarefactions and    compressions in the environment's particles that favors combustion.

Our process of extinction, expansion, and control of flames by means ofacoustic permits the construction and production of acoustics barriersagainst fire flames, being sufficient to maintain the controlspermanently focus in the rarefaction of the waves fronts and itsinterferences.

FIG. 1 shows the generic scheme of the process: (1) acoustic sourcegenerators; (2) connector; (3) vibration source generators; (4) wherethe burning and combustion occurs; (5) representation of the wavesfronts and (6) fire flame.

FIG. 2 shows the total mechanical flame control process: (7) Supplyvalve with compressed air; (8) waves directional output; (9) compressedair cylinder; (10) system of mechanical whistle; (5) representation ofthe waves fronts and (6) fire flame.

FIG. 3 shows the total electro mechanical control process: (11) aircompressor; (12) waves directional output; (13) horn that function as anair column; (5) representation of the waves fronts and (6) fire flame.

FIG. 4 shows the total electro mechanical control process: (14) audiogenerator; (17) waves directional output; (15) and (16) connectingwires; (18) electro magnet and membrane; (5) representation of the wavesfronts and (6) fire flame. Item 18 can be substitute by a ceramic PZTultra sonic transducer.

FIG. 5 shows the sources association process of flame control: (20)curvilinear association of acoustics sources; (21) front of totalconvergent wave; (22) direction of acoustic waves emitted by eachsource; (19) focus point of the convergent wave front; (5)representation of the waves fronts and (6) fire flame.

FIG. 6 shows the sources association process of flame control: (23)association linear of acoustics sources; (24) front total plane wave;(25) alignment axle; (5) representation of the waves fronts and (6) fireflame.

FIG. 7 shows the sources association process of flame control: (27)association dihedral of acoustics sources; (28) front of totalconvergent dihedral; (26) alignment axle; (5) representation of thewaves fronts and (6) fire flame.

FIG. 8 shows the sources association process of flame control: (29)bi-dimensional array association of acoustics sources; (30) directionsof emitted waves; (31) total wave front where its shape depends on theinterval of the source stimulus; (32) alignment axle; (5) representationof the waves fronts and (6) fire flame.

FIG. 9 shows to the left a simple burner that has only one flame: (33)open tube where the combustible gas and the oxidant mix; (34)combustible gas tubulation; (36) combustible gas control flow valve;(35) air entrance (oxidizing agent); (37) base support; (39) acoustictransducer; (38) connector; (40) oblique angle of the transducer'spositioning (acoustic source) with the main axle of the tube where themixing is performed. It shows to the right the addition of the acoustictransducer (39) acoustic transducer aligned longitudinal to theprincipal axle and (38) connector cable.

In FIG. 10 there is the representation of the process of rarefaction andcompression of the particles in a fluid environment: (43) particlesdistribution in a homogeneous manner before the influence of theacoustics disturbances; (41) area of compression where a higher flame isformed and (42) area of rarefaction where a smaller flame or no flame isformed.

In FIGS. 11 and 12 there is the same as for FIG. 9, but for complexburners: (44) tube where the oxidant and combustible gas are; (45)opening where the flame is produced and (46) a connection between thetube that has the entrances for combustible and oxidant with the tubewith the openings that produce flames. In FIG. 11 the transducer ispositioned aligned longitudinal to the main axle and in FIG. 12 ispositioned oblique to the main axle. In both cases the objective is themixing of the components of combustion.

In FIG. 13 the acoustic transducer (39) is positioned along the complexburner main tube, with the objective to control the intensity andefficiency of the flames in a different way, always utilizing thefrequency and amplitude associated to the phenomenon of the stationarywaves.

FIG. 14 shows an opening after the oblique positioning of the acoustictransducer permitting more oxidizing agent into the mixing chamber, thusworking with the acoustic transducer as an injector pump and also as aproducer of an acoustic current allowing for a maximum mixing betweenthe combustion components and with an excess of oxidant. Even thoughFIG. 4 represents a complex burner the same opening can be put into asimple burner as in FIG. (9) obtaining the same final result.

1. Process of extinction, expansion, and control of the intensity of thefire flames, characterized by the action of acoustic waves produced byone or more acoustic sources, whose frequencies and amplitudes changethe pressure causing rarefactions and particles compressions in theenvironment that causes combustion.
 2. Process according to claim 1,characterized by the production of acoustic waves in a fluidenvironment, where the fluid environment consists of oxidant material(oxygen).
 3. Process according to claim 1, characterized by theproduction of acoustic waves in a fluid environment, which can be liquidor gas of any combustible material.
 4. Process according to claim 1,characterized by the production of acoustic waves in a solid environmentof any combustible material.
 5. Process according to claims 1 and 3,characterized by the production of acoustic waves in a fluid environmentof mixed combustible material with oxidant material (oxygen).
 6. Processaccording to claims 1 thru 5, characterized by the use of highfrequencies, that is, ultrasonic frequencies that are above 20,000 Hertzfor the production of acoustic current with the objective of achieving acomplete mixture of the oxidizing agent and fuel, producing a completecombustion, thereby increasing the size of the flames and greaterefficiency of the burning of gases in burners with just one flame. 7.Process according to claims 1 thru 5, characterized by the use of highfrequencies, that is, ultrasonic frequencies that are above 20,000 Hertzfor the production of acoustic current with the objective of achieving acomplete mixture of the oxidizing agent and fuel, producing a completecombustion, thereby increasing the size of the flames and greaterefficiency of the burning of gases in complex burners, that is burnerswith several flames.
 8. Process according to claims 1 thru 5,characterized by the use of frequencies in human audible range,producing alterations in the size and efficiency of the flames in simpleburners, that is, burners with one flame only.
 9. Process according toclaims 1 thru 5, characterized by the use of frequencies in humanaudible range, producing alterations in the size and efficiency of theflames in complex burners, that is, burners with several flames. 10.Process according to claims 1 thru 5, characterized by the use offrequencies below 20 Hertz, producing alterations in the size andefficiency of the flames in simple burners, that is, burners with oneflame only.
 11. Process according to claims 1 thru 5, characterized bythe use of frequencies below 20 Hertz, producing alterations in the sizeand efficiency of the flames in complex burners, that is, burners withseveral flames.
 12. Process according to claims 1 thru 5, characterizedby the use of appropriate frequencies and amplitudes, producing adecrease in the combustible burn rate within the combustion, therebyextinguishing the flame.
 13. Process according to claims 1 thru 5,characterized by the use of appropriate frequencies and amplitudes,producing a decrease in the oxidizing agent in the combustion, therebyextinguishing the flame.
 14. Process according to claims 1 thru 12,characterized by the association of several sources generators ofacoustic vibrations, producing interferences, constructive anddestructive, in the combustion reactants changing the flames to what isdesirable.
 15. Process according to claim 14, characterized by thelinear association of several sources generators of acoustic vibrations,producing plane of waves fronts whose frequencies and amplitudes changethe pressure causing rarefactions and compressions in the environment'sparticles that favors the combustion.
 16. Process according to claim 14,characterized by the curvilinear association of several sourcesgenerators of acoustic vibrations, producing plane of convergent wavesfronts whose frequencies and amplitudes change the pressure causingrarefactions and compressions in the environment's particles that favorsthe combustion.
 17. Process according to claim 14, characterized by thedihedral association of several sources generators of acousticvibrations, producing plane of convergent waves fronts whose frequenciesand amplitudes change the pressure causing rarefactions and compressionsin the environment's particles that favors the combustion.
 18. Processaccording to claim 14, characterized by the trihedral association ofseveral sources generators of acoustic vibrations, producing plane ofconvergent waves fronts whose frequencies and amplitudes change thepressure causing rarefactions and compressions in the environment'sparticles that favors the combustion.
 19. Process according to claim 14,characterized by the cylindrical association of several sourcesgenerators of acoustic vibrations, producing plane of convergent wavesfronts whose frequencies and amplitudes change the pressure causingrarefactions and compressions in the environment's particles that favorsthe combustion.
 20. Process according to claim 14, characterized by thearray association of several sources generators of acoustic vibrations,by different intervals of acoustics waves, fronts of plane waves,convergent or divergent which frequencies and amplitudes modify thepressure causing rarefactions and compressions in the environments'particles that favors the combustion.
 21. Process according to claims 1thru 20, characterized by the control of the resonance (w=w0) betweenthe flame natural frequency (w0) and the sound given out (w) by theacoustic device obtaining the combustion extinguishing or when theacoustic frequency (w) is closer to the flame natural frequency (w0)obtaining the raising of the flames.
 22. Process according to claims 12thru 20, characterized by the construction and production of an acousticbarrier against the flames.
 23. Simple Burner (one flame only) accordingto claims 6, 8, 10, 12, and 21, characterized by the longitudinalpositioning of the transducer acoustic in relation to the main axle inthe tube where the mixing of the oxidizing agent and the combustiblematerial occurs.
 24. Simple Burner (one flame only) according to claims6, 8, 10, 12, and 21, characterized by the oblique positioning of theacoustic transducer in relation to the main axle in the tube where themixing of oxidizing agent and the combustible material occurs. 25.Simple Burner (one flame only) according to claims 6, 8, 10, 12, 21, 23,and 24, characterized by the inclusion of air intake after thepositioning of the acoustic transducer, also functioning as an airinjection pump.
 26. Complex Burner (more than one flame) according toclaims 7, 9, 11, 12, and 21, characterized by the longitudinalpositioning of the transducer acoustic in relation to the main axle inthe tube where the mixing of the oxidizing agent and the combustiblematerial occurs.
 27. Complex Burner (more than one flame) according toclaims 7, 9, 11, 12, and 21, characterized by the oblique positioning ofthe acoustic transducer in relation to the main axle in the tube wherethe mixing of oxidizing agent and the combustible material occurs. 28.Complex Burner (more than one flame) according to claims 7, 9, 11, 12,21, 26, and 27, characterized by the inclusion of air intake after thepositioning of the acoustic transducer, also functioning as an airinjection pump.